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Don Davis

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Don Davis has been the Forum Communications Minnesota Capitol Bureau chief since 2001, covering state government and politics for two dozen newspapers in the state. Don also blogs at Capital Chatter on Areavoices.

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ST. PAUL -- Chip Cravaack gained national attention two years ago when he upset long-time U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, but early Wednesday he lost to a congressman who served three decades ago. Democrat Rick Nolan upset Cravaack in a razor-thin win. Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar breezed to an easy re-election victory Tuesday and most U.S. House members from Minnesota won. Rep.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesotans became the first state to reject a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Since a state law remains on the books, the vote does not automatically allow same-sex weddings. However, with a newly elected Democratic-Farmer-Laborite Legislature and governor, the subject is bound to be debated when lawmakers take office in January. Thirty other states approved the proposal when voters were asked.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota voters do not want to prove who they are. Forty-six percent of voters Tuesday wanted to amend the state Constitution to require a photo ID before voting, but 50 percent was needed. The Minnesota vote went against a trend in other states to approve voter ID. Election officials said they know of little voter fraud and said the constitutional amendment would cost millions of dollars, but supporters said that democracy demands fair elections.

ST. PAUL -- Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar breezed to an easy re-election victory Tuesday and most U.S. House members from Minnesota won. However, House races with Republican Reps. Chip Cravaack and Michele Bachmann remained close late Tuesday. Winning U.S. Representatives included Collin Peterson, Tim Walz, John Kline, Keith Ellison, Betty McCollum and Erik Paulsen. The 8th Congressional District in the northeastern quarter of Minnesota that featured first-term GOP U.S. Cravaack and former Democratic U.S. Rep.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota's U.S. Senate debate, if it did nothing else, showed the political distance between the two candidates. Republican challenger Kurt Bills added distance between his views and those of U.S. Sen.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota voters will be asked in the Nov. 6 election whether they want to amend the state Constitution to define a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively outlawing gay marriages. Here is a look at the issues: Process: The Minnesota Constitution is amended when the Legislature passes a proposed amendment and a majority of voters in a general election approve it. The governor has no official role. Reasoning: Amendment supporters say a marriage must be only between a man and a woman to protect children.